Application Cycle: Delayed

The Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program is delayed and will not be launched in May 2024 as originally planned.

Background and Mission:

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) works to increase and diversify California’s healthcare workforce by providing loan repayments and scholarships to health professional students and graduates who provide direct patient care in those communities. LVNLRP is funded through a $5 surcharge from renewal and licensure fees collected by the Department of Consumer Affairs for Licensed Vocational Nurses in California. The purpose of this program is to increase the number of appropriately trained nurses providing direct patient care in a qualified facility or area in California.

Awardee Program Requirements Loan Repayment Program:

In exchange for a 12-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, eligible licensed vocational nurses may receive a loan repayment of up to $8,000. Awardees are expected to meet program requirements for the duration of the LVN loan repayment program. Awardee is defined as an applicant who has been selected to receive the LVN loan repayment program award and who has signed their Grant Agreement. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to disqualification and termination from the program. Awardees may be considered in breach of their Grant Agreement if they are unable to comply with the terms of their contract. If an awardee does not meet the terms of their contractual obligations, they may not be eligible for the annual payment.

Below is the list of program requirements awardees are expected to comply with:

• Maintain a current and unrestricted license and be in good standing with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

• Have existing qualifying educational loan debt incurred while pursuing a degree to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

• Keep said educational loans in good standing.

• Must not participate or have an existing service obligation with another entity, including other HCAI funded programs.

• Must not be in breach of any other HCAI/health professional service obligation.

• Submit progress reports, in the form required by HCAI, demonstrating compliance with program requirements and their agreement/contract.

• Maintain 32 hours or more per week of direct patient care during the entirety of the contract period.

• To inform HCAI in writing within 30 business days of any change in contact information (mailing address, telephone number, email address, etc.), or any change in circumstances impacting an awardee’s eligibility to receive or participate in the LVN loan repayment program.

• Complete and submit an application through the HCAI eApp Funding Portal by June 14, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (DELAYED)

Eligible Practice Sites:

An applicant must provide direct patient care in one of the following eligible geographic areas or approved site designations:

• Children’s Hospital

• Public School Facility

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Clinics providing Reproductive Health and abortion-related services

• Medically Underserved Area (MUA)

• State-Operated Health Facility

• Correctional Facility

• Native American Health Center

• Substance Use Facility

• County-Operated Health Facility

• Primary Care Shortage Area (PCSA)

• Veteran’s Facility

• Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) • Registered Nurse Shortage Area (RNSA) • Health Professional Shortage Area – Primary Care (HPSAPC)

• Rural Health Clinic

If you are providing services via telehealth, your employer must have a physical office in California, and it must be one of the eligible geographic or site designations listed above.

2024-25 Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program Grant Guide

Loan Repayment FAQ

Email: HWDD-LRP@hcai.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 326-3700